"Jay Honeck" wrote

Strangely, our kids (who have attended airshows since birth) reacted to
the
same performances with excitement, and soon learned to plug their ears
with
their fingers when the noise level got uncomfortable.

I don't know if that's because *we* acted excited (in a good way), so they
felt comfortable around it, or if it's just the difference between some
kids
and others...

I had got a puppy, long ago, and at the time was riding a motorcycle,
perhaps 10,000 miles per year or more, with 3 to 6 hour trips not being
uncommon. I knew I needed my dog to be comfortable riding with me, on the
bike, or in the car.

As soon as she was firm on her feet, and had been with me for a few weeks to
build the trust and love between us, I started to get her ready for riding.
I started by taking her outside, and starting the bike, letting it warm up,
then I would rev it up and make a lot of noise, while praising her, and
giving an occasional treat. As she became used to it, I ramped it up,
putting her on the bike, then around the yard, then neighborhood, then
longer trips. As a recent education graduate, I used positive reinforcement
extensively, and she didn't mind any of it, and even began getting excited,
wanting to go for rides when I grabbed my helmet.

Moral of the story is, if young ones get used to something strange and scary
gradually, and associate it with positive (for them) experiences, they want
more, and bigger thrills. I expect that this is the key to Jay and family's
success in the whole aviation, airshow bit.

If you want to get kids to like something new, it _has_ to be associated
with something positive for them. Do the airport, loaded with liberal
helpings of candy, or whatever floats their boat. When that is routine, do
up close jets taking off, , or something of the like. You get the idea.
Maybe, loud stuff like firecrackers, or race cars; it doesn't have to be
aviation.
--
Jim in NC